Municipalities and village councils across Cyprus are to receive a series of new grants aimed at improving facilities at beaches that fall within their boundaries. This program aims not only to enhance, but to maintain the quality and appearance of the island’s beaches.
Improvements will include
- Installing QR-coded information signs for tourists.
- Building and upgrading public restrooms, changing cabins, and showers.
- Constructing new pathways for safer beach access.
- The installation of new umbrellas and sun loungers.
- The installation of recycling stations.
- The installation of free water coolers.
- The installation of new waste bins.
- Improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
- Employing the use of sand-cleaning machines to maintain pristine shores.
UPGRADES FOR BEACHES ON THE AYIA NAPA COAST
All Cyprus beaches promote environmental awareness and sustainability. With this in mind, those within the municipality of Ayia Napa have once again been upgraded. Several enhancements have improved the overall comfort and cleanliness across all beaches on the resort’s coastline. These enhancements come in the form of a range of new services and high-quality, aesthetically pleasing equipment.
UPGRADES FOR BEACHES ON THE PROTARAS COAST
The Paralimni-Deryneia municipality is carrying out a whole program of upgrades for its 18 beaches in the greater Protaras area. The municipality is focused on sustainable tourism and continually improving its coastal zones. Its main goal is to improve beach facilities using smart technology that will also conserve natural resources, such as water.
The most recent upgrades include the installation of brand-new, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly showers. These offer a more comfortable and modern beach experience to all beachgoers. Each new shower unit includes a foot bath, an advanced lighting system, and contactless payment options. The showers are part of a broader plan to enhance the overall quality and appeal of all beaches in the area.
💙 BLUE FLAGS LEAD THE WAY IN CYPRUS 💙
The Blue Flag is an international award given annually to beaches that meet the highest standards throughout Europe. The evaluation criteria for the award include several key factors that determine overall beach quality.
Blue Flag standards uphold environmental protection, good overall management of coastal areas, educational initiatives, visitor safety, cleanliness, and access to reliable information. Cyprus constantly maintains its high standards for all of its coastal areas and currently has 66 locations across the island that carry a Blue Flag accreditation.
NEW SAFE BOXES FOR LARNACA BEACHES
Larnaca Municipality has installed new safety boxes at both Mackenzie and Finikoudes Beaches. This is part of a broader effort to improve the safety, comfort, and overall experience of visitors of both beaches.
The new safe boxes will help protect the personal belongings of all beachgoers. The boxes, which can be found under each beach umbrella, can be hired out for a minimal daily fee and offer beachgoers a secure place to safely store their items while they swim or relax.
The safe boxes are just the first phase of a larger beach infrastructure upgrade effort that is focusing on better security and higher service quality for all beachgoers. Clear instructions are posted at each spot to guide visitors on how to use the boxes.
🏖️ SUNBEDS AT PUBLIC BEACHES CANNOT BE RESERVED 🏖️
Municipal staff, arriving early at public beaches, often find several personal items on sunbeds. This is because several beachgoers deliberately leave these items on municipal sunbeds in an attempt to reserve them well before actually arriving. These people often arrive in the early morning or even the night before their intended day at the beach. They then arrive later, expecting to hire a sunbed of their choice.
Municipal staff of the Paralimni-Deryneia municipality, however, have announced that they will not allow people to reserve sunbeds in this way anymore! In a joint statement, they have stated that sunbeds and umbrellas will only be available for hire upon arrival at the beach. Personal belongings found on unpaid sunbeds will be removed, and the sunbeds will once again be available for rent.
BEACH ACCESS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS
Amphibious wheelchairs and sea access ramps have been installed at several beaches that serve the Paralimni-Dherynia Municipality. Wooden floors have also been installed on some ramparts to aid wheelchair access. Designated areas for people with severe sight and mobility issues, exclusively offering sunbeds and umbrellas, are also available. The main aim is to better serve people with disabilities who want to spend time at the beach.
In addition to this, people with sight or mobility issues who want to visit the Cape Greco National Forest Park will be able to take advantage of specially adapted wheelchairs. These have been donated to the forestry department by the local municipality.
The following beaches now have seatrack and floating wheelchairs
- Louma
- Golden Coast
- Vrysi C
- Gianna Mari
- Lombardi Cavo Maris
The following beaches have floating wheelchairs
- Fig Tree Bay
- Vrysi A
- Vrysi B
- Kappari
